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TN to give Rs 1,000 cash to all ration card holders as Pongul gift
Chennai, Jan 2 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government will provide a cash gift of Rs 1,000 and a gift hamper to all ration card holders in the state to celebrate Pongul festival, said Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit here on Wednesday.
The state government will also restructure its transport corporations with the help of German agency KfW and has formulated a housing project for slum dwellers, said the Governor.
The government will release an industrial policy on aerospace and defence shortly to promote indigenous component in the two sectors, he said.
Delivering his customary address in the state Assembly, Purohit said: “I am happy to announce that this government will give a cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for the celebration of Pongal festival which will be applicable for the entire state, except Thiruvarur district where the Model Code of Conduct is in force following by-election to the Thiruvarur assembly constituency.”
He said Pongal gift hampers containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nuts, cardamom and sugarcane would be given to all card holders in an effort to mitigate the impact of Gaja cyclone in Cauvery delta and the widespread drought in northern districts.
Purohit said the state government is embarking on a comprehensive restructuring programme for the transport corporations with the support of the German bilateral financing agency, KfW.
“This would involve replacing the aging fleet with fuel-efficient BS-VI buses and procurement of environment-friendly electric buses in metro cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai,” he added.
According to him, the state government has formulated a comprehensive housing project called ‘Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project’ to transform slums in Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts with World Bank assistance.
“A similar project for areas other than Chennai Metropolitan Area has been proposed to the Asian Development Bank for assistance. The common building rules will also be notified shortly to enhance the ease of doing business in the housing sector,” he said.
He said the Japan International Cooperation Agency has approved the funding for expanding Chennai Metro Rail project to the tune of Rs 20,196 crore for the priority stretches totaling 52 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and Madhavaram to Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT).
He said the loan agreement for the first tranche of approximately Rs.4,770 crore was signed on 21st December, 2018 and work will commence shortly.
According to him, the government will soon launch a scheme to extend financial support to NGOs for opening schools in interior tribal areas, catering substantially to tribal students as the literacy among tribals is significantly lower than the state average.
The state being a major automobile hub, thrust will be given for the promotion of new-generation electric vehicles with appropriate incentives, Purohit said.
According to him, the establishment of industrial hubs for defence products in Chennai-Vellore-Salem-Hosur-Coimbatore-Trichy corridor will definitely improve the prospects of Tamil Nadu as a major defence manufacturing hub.
“Further, implementation of Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) and the 7th Pay Commission recommendations have also widened the revenue deficit. “The delay in the release of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation, due to the state, has also accentuated this problem,” Purohit said.
Meanwhile the DMK and Congress walked out of the House at the start of Purohit’s speech.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.